Hook Bend Outs??

Sometimes the difference between the “Hardwater” practice swing, and a “Dinger” off the foul pole can be impacted with one simple measure. I choose to initiate a slight bend out of my hardwater hooks with most all of my tackle. By slightly bending the hook being careful to not impact the overall integrity; Anglers will often times increase hooking percentages. Both single and treble hooks are often more likely to stick in the mouth of a fish upon hookset. Remember when tipping your presentations to leave some barb exposed. Burying the barbs in your tipped bait uses that bait as a buffer between your hooks and the fish. NO BUFFER!!

The “Cold Gold Rush” is very close. When you get your chance make the most of it.

Stay Thirsty My Friends

What? Is that eggnog talk?

Crappie jigs, head pointed toward your nose bend the pointy end left and up a bit. Cecil’s I have are bad about being bent in toward shank.

Barbs on all tackle should be pinched down.

I love seeing pictures of my buddy Michael with toads top side of the ice

I couldn’t agree more Chris, it sure helps with the hook ups just by opening the hook a bit.
It is extremely important to do so when fishing the #14 and smaller sized Diamond Jigs and Gill Pills

Also make sure to keep the pliers off the tip of the jigs when opening them up and, carry yourself a hook sharpener in the field to keep them tips sharp.

Chris could you post a picture of what it looks like when u bend it out. Do you mean sideways aor just opening the gap? I am always looking to improve my hook up numbers.

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I love seeing pictures of my buddy Michael with toads top side of the ice

I couldn’t agree more Chris, it sure helps with the hook ups just by opening the hook a bit.
It is extremely important to do so when fishing the #14 and smaller sized Diamond Jigs and Gill Pills

Also make sure to keep the pliers off the tip of the jigs when opening them up and, carry yourself a hook sharpener in the field to keep them tips sharp.

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Rob and Michael will be up again this December for some “Pig Pulling”. I love the Father/Son trips on the hardwater. The time spent with your son while chasing big fish creates many lasting memories. I get a lot of time with Michael one on one when he’s up here. We normally share my Otter for at least part of the day. He reminds me of myself when I was his age. I will hand it to him in that he is a very good stick, and Rob should be very proud. He stuck a huge fish on that trip that simply burned drag out. I know if Michaels heart was racing as much as mine he hasn’t forgot. I spent some time hovered over the 8 inch hole hoping to eventually bring it topside. Unfortunately that big girl dug her heels in on us, and we lost her. Soon after I was spooled by a fish. We’ll get her this year!! Still can’t complain on our big fish encounters!!

Very good point Bret. I like to open up the “Lightning Spoons” and “Diamond Jigs” just slightly. With the smaller ice tackle even the smallest bend out can increase hooking percentages in a large way. I vividly remember watching an anglers swing and miss on multiple crappies last season. He set is rod (OK THREW) in the snow and said “WHAT AM I DOING WRONG GRANRUD!!” I said likely……….NOTHING. Lets look at your presentation. I quickly sharpened the hook and gave it the slight bend out. Next hook set……….BINGO!! He said that is simply UNREAL!! We spent a little time discussing how an angler might forget with all the fishing innovations that the HOOK still remains one of the most CRITICAL components to success, and doesn’t cost anymore. Pay attention to fine details boys.

Chris,

Good point, I always open the gap on my Treble hooks just a little bit, especially those #14 that I use on Tip Downs for Crappies!

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Chris could you post a picture of what it looks like when u bend it out. Do you mean sideways aor just opening the gap? I am always looking to improve my hook up numbers.

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I’m not sure this will be clearly visible, but here is an example of my 2 favorite hardwater presentations. The lethal black “Diamond jig” on top is straight from CJ&S while the bottom is slightly manipulated. Off subject here, but anglers often discount “Black or Browns” when it comes to panfish tackle; Big mistake. BTW Freshwater Shrimp…BROWN. When ON FISH, and not looking to draw fish try realistic patterns for BIG “DONKS”. This may just turn your biggest fish this season. Don’t tell your friends. The “Lighting” spoon likely accounts for 80% of our monster walleyes each season. The spoon on the left is straight from CJ&S while the spoon on the right has been slightly manipuluted. Again we’re not talking a major bend out or anything that can lead to a loss of integrity with the hook. CJ&S hooks are strong from my experience lending themselves to a slight customized positioning for optimum hook up percentages.

What I haven’t included in these photographs is frankly something equally as important. Sorry I’m short of minnow heads right now. When hooking a minnow head or even a plastic trailer be sure that you leave some “Gap” between the barb and the bait. This Gap can drastically effect your hooking percentages with ice rods. Remember in the summer we’re fishing longer rods with more drive in hook sets at times.

To visualize this think “In Depth” on what happens when a fish strikes your presentation. A big walleye or Big Crappie will capture your bait. Both of these fish have large mouths capable of consuming big baits. Many times an angler will be setting the hook at the same time a fish is trying to blow the presentation back out. Big fish are quick to detect lead or plastic. As you quickly drive the hook home that hook will need to catch skin. By slightly bending these hooks out there is a greater chance that hook will lodge itself instead of pulling out. Again this is a simple step that will likely increase your hooking percentage this season.

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Chris,

Good point, I always open the gap on my Treble hooks just a little bit, especially those #14 that I use on Tip Downs for Crappies!

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RIGHT ON!!

LOL! you know a fisherman for sure, he is the one that just cant leave the jig alone and fish it how it is with out some kind of mod done to it. Hook changes can make or break the catch rate. Dont get me wrong some jigs are ok right out of the box. Not only do I open the gap I off set it as well. Treble hooks same here open and off set. I use a ton of mustad tripple grips for a ton of my fishing from open water to the ice. They work well on spoons and I use them on my automatics for steelhead, splake & browns, my catch rate has gone up vs hooking and having them get off.

Anglers are often looking for gain further efficiency in all aspects of fishing. When it comes to “Hooking Percentage” I prefer to stack the deck. Maybe it is one or two fish a day, but maybe they are the biggest and baddest.

Thanks for clarifying Chris.

Even on smaller open water jigs this tactic is something that can be a huge factor in hooking up fish. Great tip Chris.

Chris- I’m with ya. I made a post about this about four years ago…
I also like to “twist” the hook a little with the bend…

Gap Bend

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Chris- I’m with ya. I made a post about this about four years ago…
I also like to “twist” the hook a little with the bend…

Gap Bend

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